Selling on eBay to meditating: How to live in 2012

Other tips on how to survive, thrive and prosper include how to fix a dripping tap and the best way to eat oysters

How to fix a dripping tap

BY CLIVE HOLLAND, TV PRESENTER AND DIY EXPERT

Use a small screwdriver to pop the top cover off the leaky tap

1. Start by turning off the water supply. Follow the pipe down under the sink and you will find a screw slot in the feeder pipe – a flathead screwdriver will turn it off. If this isn’t accessible, shut down the mains water supply – you should already know the location of the tap in case of an emergency leak. Drain off the tap you are fixing by turning it on.

2. Use a small screwdriver to pop the top cover off the leaky tap. This disc usually has the ‘hot’ or cold’ symbol on it. Remove it and any tap covering to reveal the large headgear nut underneath. An adjustable spanner will loosen this large nut, although be careful not to damage the chrome outer casing of the tap, or the pipework.

3. The tap assembly should now lift out, revealing the damaged neoprene washer underneath. Prise it out gently with a screwdriver and replace with a new washer. DIY shops sell bags of mixed washers, or you can just take the damaged one with you to the store to find the correct size.

4. Replace the parts in reverse order but be careful not to over-tighten the large headgear nut. Remember: turn off the taps before you switch the water supply back on. Never turn taps off too tightly, as this damages the washer and is the prime cause of dripping in the first place.

Tips for selling on eBay

With more than 15 million items for sale, standing out from the crowd is key. Cram your 80-character item title full of key words, brand names, and descriptive terms because this is how people find you in a search. eBay rewards commitment, so the more often you sell and the better your feedback, the more prominence your items will get in search results.

Similarly, you’ll get a more prominent listing if you offer free p&p, so keep your postage charges low and factor them into your starting price. Dan Wilson, author of ‘Make Serious Money on eBay UK’

Shuck an oyster

- IN FIVE STEPS BY THOM HUNT, FROM CHANNEL 4’S THREE HUNGRY BOYS

If you're going to be eating oysters regularly, the first tip is to get yourself a dedicated shucking knife

1. If you’re going to be eating oysters regularly, the first tip is to get yourself a dedicated shucking knife

2. Lay the oyster on its ‘back’ with the flat shell on the top and the spoony, curved shell underneath

3. Protect your hands with a tea towel in case the knife slips

4. Hold the oyster with the point towards you and slide the knife into the hinge at the end. Once inside, you should be able to open it completely with a satisfying pop, revealing the bounty inside.

5. Now that it is open, simply slide your knife under the oyster meat to cut it from its shell. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a few drops of Tabasco.